We are approaching the end of the year which always makes me feel reflective. I look back on the year that just was and then wish, in a small way, that I could peak around the corner and see what the new year might bring. 2019 was a year of milestones. I turned 70, John and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, our grandson turned 18 and graduated from high school and was accepted into the college of his choice and our grand daughter graduated from middle school and got accepted into her prep school. We bought our HGTV special in New London and made a five year plan to renovate it while we were here to help our daughter Katie and her family. In addition, we learned that we were going to have another grand child in the new year so life is very, very good and always full of surprises.
Jenny Lane Update
Almost Done can be applied to the year but most certainly not to the Jenny Lane project. We have only just begun is more like it. After a relatively quiet beginning to the week, we ended the week with some major updates. We now have new windows in Jack’s room, a ceiling in his room and the wall between his room and the bathroom is insulated and sheet rocked. Amazing how quiet that room is now.
On our side of the wall between Jack’s room and our room we now have an insulated wall fully sheet rocked. Katie and Libby got closet doors so their rooms are now one step away from having the final coat of paint put on the walls. We are down to trim only in both of those rooms. We take each little step in the remake of Jenny Lane with lots of celebrating. I can hardly wait til we have a ceiling in our room too and I don’t have to look at ugly wires shooting out of the current ceiling. Soon I think.
Walking in the Cold
After a fabulous morning of walking in blissful sunshine and mid 30’s, for over 2 1/2 hours, the temperature plummeted and the dogs and I sent ugly stares at the thermometer. It was in the single digits and I don’t do single digits. However, one day later, when it made it just above 10 degrees we headed out for a half hour or so. The dogs were in their new down jackets but I forgot to put the Mushers Friend on their feet and Bean found it rather chilly under foot. We went into the woods and it actually was a bit warmer in there. Must be why deer go deep in the woods when it gets really cold. One friend who walks with us went out on her own with a dog that she takes care of and ran into our friend the “bear”. The dog tried chasing the bear but Jane was able to get her back and they turned around going in the opposite direction of the bear. I am so grateful to have a group of dogs and friends to walk with. We make lots of noise and hope that the bear runs away from us. He/she really should go hibernate, it’s about time!!!!
We are in Canada for the holidays. We have rented a house in the Laurentian Mountains north of Montreal near where my sister and her family have a home. There are seven of us and three dogs which is lots of fun. We have a great fireplace, stockings hanging on the mantle, a big puzzle going on the ginormous coffee table, a little Christmas music and after an incredible hunt, we have a little live tree in the corner. Now it feels like Christmas.
A Recipe for Winter Colds
Here is a recipe I hope you don’t need.
I gave this recipe to a friend who was coming down with a cold and had a scratchy throat plus the aches that warn you something isn’t quite right. She went home and made the drink immediately and when I saw her two days later announced that it had worked. Now maybe she wasn’t actually getting sick and was only overtired or maybe she was but either way it couldn’t hurt to give it a try. This time of year is notorious for colds and sniffles.
Mix in a cup of hot water, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, dash of cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix well and drink it. You should feel better within the hour.
